13 Jul 2014

Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

From Composer of the Week, 9:00 am on 13 July 2014
Edward Elgar

Edward Elgar about 1900 Photo: Public Domain

 

My idea is that there is music in the air, music all around us, the world is full of it and you simply take as much as you require – Edward Elgar

Elgar was one of the earliest composers to take recording processes seriously, conducting a series of recordings of his own music in the 1910s and early 1920s.

He conducted four recorded performances of Pomp and Circumstance March No 1. The first was on 26 June 1914, just weeks before the start of WW1.

“I have something of the soldier in me”, Elgar said to Rudolf de Cordova whilst being interviewed for The Strand, February 1904.

Music Details:

Elgar: Introduction & Allegro for Strings – ASMF/Neville Marriner (London)
Elgar: Introduction & Allegro for Strings – ASMF/Neville Marriner (London)
Elgar: Woodland Interlude, from 'Caractacus' – Bournemouth Sinf/Norman Del Mar (Chandos)
Elgar: Harmony Music No. 2 – Bournemouth Sinf/Norman Del Mar (Chandos)
Elgar: Wand of Youth Suite No. 1 – Ulster Orch/Bryden Thomson (Chandos)
Elgar: Cello Concerto – Jacqueline du Pré (cello), Philh/John Barbirolli (EMI)
Elgar: Violin Concerto – Nigel Kennedy (vln), CBSO/Simon Rattle (EMI)
Elgar: Enigma Variations (Variation XIII) – Hallé Orch/Mark Elder (Hallé)
Elgar: Coronation Ode – Scottish National Chorus & Orch/Alexander Gibson (Chandos)
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius – London Symphony Chorus & Orch/Richard Hickox (Chandos)
Elgar: The Music Makers – Linda Finnie (mezzo), London Phil Choir, London Phil/Bryden Thomson (Chandos)

More Elgar from RNZ Concert: